The Holiday - Part 2
Chapter 16
Sirius was pretty sure James would have been laughing himself silly if he could see him right now. He had just turned down a girl, an admittedly beautiful one at that.
It had been entirely too long since he had slept with a woman. If his twenty-year old self saw him right now, he would have died of horror. Azkaban had done a number on him and being on the run wasn't exactly a walk in the park.
Staying in Number 12 Grimmauld Place for the past year had made him gain some weight so that he didn't look too sickly, but it was ultimately the past month that had changed him.
Twitchet's cooking and the health potion Twitchet made for him every day had made him gain some significant weight though he was still rather lean. His face had filled out and his skin wasn't waxy anymore, but his hair still lacked its healthy shine. Otherwise, he was better than ever considering what he had been through.
He decided to visit the local salon later to get himself a good haircut instead of the self-trimming he was wont to since Azkaban. It would be one more step in the right direction that could make him feel like himself again.
He drank his cold beer and watched as a fit-looking woman in a rather skimpy swimsuit winked at him, looking up for it and he automatically smirked in response.
Perhaps, he wasn't as sickly looking as he thought he was?
On second thought, shagging a stranger didn't seem so bad an idea. After all, he was desperately in need of practice.
oOo
Wednesday, July 31
Their final day in Provence was the most interesting day of all. After the day spent at the beach, they had gone hiking around the local villages and had seen the beautiful lavender and sunflower farms. It looked nothing short of magical at this time of the year, the air smelling sweet and flowery as they sampled lavender honey drizzled over warm croissants.
After the last two days of rock-climbing the world's second largest canyon, the Gorges du Verdon and white-water rafting in the Verdon river, the wine and cheese-tasting session in Marseilles sounded almost rather boring. It was definitely anything but.
Harry and Sirius uncommonly bonded over a mutual love for cheese. From Roquefort to Camembert, Brie to Fontagne, they both loved the creamy, piquant cheeses which, when paired with wines, was nothing short of astounding. From white wines, sparkling rosé and full-bodied reds, Harry had been dazzled with the variety of wines available. Sirius had ended up spending a considerable amount of money buying a lot of it to take back home, when Jane reminded them they couldn't possibly take all of it through immigration. Sirius had been confused by that but bought them all anyway.
The afternoon was spent at the local market sampling juicy melons and succulent peaches, ripe tomatoes, Nyon black olives atop just-baked bread and wandering around Marseilles snacking on sweet nougat and calisson and then a light lunch of bouillabaisse, which reminded Harry strongly of Fleur Delacour and the Yule Ball while he sat under the large umbrellas outside the café.
Harry stopped when he saw something outside a hipster T-shirt shop where there were blokes with tattoos discussing up front. Sirius was buying a water bottle a few shops away and Harry entered the shop to buy the thing soon before Sirius got to him. It was a rather crude gift in his opinion, but if Harry knew Sirius at all, he was bound to like it. Grinning, he quickly paid for it and exited the shop before Sirius could notice, stuffing the gift into his backpack.
In the evening, there was a small birthday party for Harry by their tour group. He was rather taken aback when everybody broke into song, wishing him a happy birthday and Sirius had brought in the cake.
"This is a surprise," said Harry happily. Never in his life had he had a birthday party just for him.
"It's not every day my boy turns sixteen, is it?" said Sirius, beaming as he placed the cake lit with candles in front of him.
Harry grinned. Even though it was all a charade, Harry was secretly really glad whenever Sirius referred to him as his son.
Alicia chimed in, "Make a wish, James!"
Harry rolled his eyes at her, feeling like a kid. What could he wish for? He had everything he had ever wanted right now. Well, maybe he could wish Voldemort never existed. Even thinking his name was surreal after the blissful week he had had.
He decided what he would wish for and he smiled. He was not going to close his eyes, he was not a child. But, he did think of his wish when he blew out the candles, hoping it would come true.
Everyone cheered and clapped as Harry cut his cake. And isn't that itself a novelty? mused Harry as the cake was divided among all and wine and juice were flowing.
Harry beamed as Sirius came up to him, a goblet of golden Sauternes in his hand. Harry took two steps forwards and wrapped his arms around Sirius, who returned it with a genuine smile on his face.
"Thank you, for everything," said Harry with only a slight choke in his voice.
Sirius clapped him on the shoulder still smiling as he handed the wine to him. "You deserve this and more. Happy sixteenth, Harry."
Harry smiled. He knew then he had wished for the right thing. What could be better than hoping he could always have his godfather with him?
oOo
Harry sipped the Sauternes, having a new liking for the sweet French wine after the wine-tasting session. Alicia had come to personally wish him and Harry smiled in greeting. "Hello."
"Looks like someone is rather fond of wines. Pretty neat for someone who had never had a drink three days ago, I would say," she beamed.
Harry laughed. "All thanks to you."
"I wanted to give you this, you know, as a birthday present."
Saying so, she pulled out a thick envelope from her purse and handed it to him. Harry took it, intrigued as he saw the writing on top: Happy Birthday! Love, Alicia. She gestured for Harry to open it and Harry set down his goblet before flipping open the contents of the envelope.
They were pictures, almost twenty of them, muggle photographs of Harry and even Sirius. There was a picture of Harry wearing a sun hat looking out into the bright blue sea, one of Harry in the gorgeous lavender field, Harry and Sirius laughing as they sat in a café, a picture of both of them from behind as they stood atop the cliff of the canyon, and even a goofy picture of both of them with helmets and goggles on, near the waterfall before they went rafting. It was one of the most thoughtful gifts he had ever received in his life.
Harry looked up, lost for words. "How—When did you—?"
Alicia waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, you know—I just thought you'd appreciate it seeing as this is your first trip with your dad and I never saw the both of you with a camera or—"
She was cut off as Harry, in a moment of instinct, had leaned down to press his lips to hers. She gasped, but she enthusiastically kissed him back as Harry had put aside the gift and placed his hands on her hips.
After a minute (or forever) later, they broke apart gasping. Harry felt light-headed; that was perhaps the best kiss ever, in his admittedly limited experience.
Alicia was looking at him dazedly. "Blimey! You're an amazing kisser, James. Don't let that ex-girlfriend of yours tell you otherwise."
Harry flushed with happiness and he did not mind at all when Alicia pulled him towards her again.
oOo
Thursday, August 1
"Well, this is it," said Alicia, hoisting her backpack.
"Yeah, I guess," said Harry, as he watched the others in their tour group saying goodbyes at the airport.
"Thanks for hanging out with me," said Alicia sincerely. "I had a great time."
"Same," beamed Harry. "I didn't expect this trip to have been so much fun. Thanks for the gift again. That is really one of the most thoughtful gifts anyone has ever given to me."
"You're welcome," said Alicia with a bright smile. Both of them loitered around uncertainly and before it could get awkward, Alicia said, "Well, this is goodbye. Until we meet again, James."
She offered her hand to shake and Harry took it, a wave of sadness washing over him. "Do you think we will? Meet again, I mean."
"If we're meant to, then we will."
Harry smiled too. He liked the thought of it. It was rather romantic, yet also made him feel a little melancholy. Alicia's parents gestured for her and she turned to leave, waving Harry goodbye.
Harry raised his hand in farewell and she beamed once more. Then she was gone.
Harry watched the place where she had turned around a corner for a moment longer before shaking himself out of his reverie. He turned to look for Sirius and grinned when he saw Sirius coming towards him, a blushing Miss Evesham watching him from behind rather wistfully.
Sirius clapped him on the shoulder. "Well that was a fun trip, wasn't it?"
Indeed, it had been the best trip ever and he was almost sorry to leave that blissful week in the most beautiful place on Earth. Harry smiled in agreement as they left the airport to Apparate back home.
oOo
Remus was tending to the greenhouse when he heard the tell-tale crack of Apparition. He turned, knowing who it would be and saw the two figures walking up the driveway pulling their luggage behind them.
Remus nearly froze when for a moment he was transported to a time twenty years ago, seeing James and Sirius walking towards him. He blinked as they neared and he shook himself. Harry and Sirius were talking but Sirius raised a hand in greeting as he saw Remus. Remus noticed Sirius' hair was shorter and layered, almost similar to how it was when he was younger. He hadn't seen that when they mirror-called three days ago. Admittedly, the last two days it had been Harry who spoke to him.
They were both sporting a healthy tan and rather large grins on their faces. He smiled. It was good to see them happy and healthy.
"Hey Moony, missed me?" said Sirius as he clapped a hand on Remus' shoulder. Remus rolled his eyes. "It was actually rather nice having the house to myself."
"Oh, of course it was," said Sirius with a mischievous grin and he winked. Remus felt himself growing flustered at Sirius' implication and decided to change topics.
"Hello, Harry. How was Provence?" he said kindly and Harry grinned. "It was brilliant! I wish you had come too."
"Moony was probably having more fun than either of us," said Sirius, waggling his eyebrows.
Remus glowered at Sirius, who was grinning like the devil, when Harry surreptitiously tried to walk around Sirius and inside the house. "I'm starving. What's for lunch?"
Thank goodness, Harry had inherited Lily's common sense.
